Fred Shirey transferred to Nebraska from Washington and JeffersonCollege. While at Nebraska Shirey played right tackle and was in integral part of the Husker football teams from 1934-1937.

Shirey was named to three straight First-Team All-Big Six Conference teams and is one of only 20 Huskers to ever be named to three First-Team All-Conference Teams. Most recently it was done by Ralph Brown from 1997-1998-1999. On top of being a three time all-conference pick, Shirey was also a First-Team All-American in 1937, and was picked to play for the West in the 1937 East-West game.

Shirey was picked 32nd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the NFL draft, but chose to teach at BeatriceHigh School instead.